Adjustable partition support



A. ASHKENAS ADJUSTABLE PARTITION SUPPORT Dec. 6, 1927.

Filed Aug. 15. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l amok-m;

A. ASHKENAS ADJUSTABLE PARTITION SUPPORT Dec. 6, 1927.

Filed Aux. 13. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aux. 13. 1926 H H E! I l: '1' H I1 ll E5 nt" i J I 4% 4\ NW); 4 a $34 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .16 20 Zlwwzntoo: 1 Q

wafiazzzflsinema companying drawings, it will be observed upon inspection of Fig. 1, that my partitioning comprises essentially two portions, denoted generally by the numerals and 11 respectively.

The portionlO may be considered the ordinary style of partitioning which in most instances extends approximately seven feet from the floor, while the other section 11 fills the space between the former section 10 and the ceiling. My improved partition support is especially designed for this type of structure and further comprises a plurality of pilasters 12 which terminate adjacent the top of the lower portion 10 and are constructed to lend beauty to the structure.

The spaces between the pilasters 12 may be filled with suitable paneling 13, either glass or wood as conditions or fancy dictates. The upper portion 11 I prefer to provide with glass paneling 1 1 for the admission of light but here wood may be used.

In order to produce a stable and rigid structure the lower central portion of each of the pilasters 12 is provided with a core 15 (see Figs. 2 and 5), said core terminating short of said top portion of each pllaster 12 to define a socket 16 therein and it is these sockets which receive the means for effecting the vertical adjustment of the supporting means and since said means is common to all pilasters it is thought a description of one Will suflice.

Said operating means is composite in nature and comprises a casing 17 fitting snugly Within said socket 16, its lower end resting on said core 15 while its upper end terminates flush with the top of the portion 10. A bearing member 18 is secured to said casing 17 as indicated at 19, said bearing member being provided with an upwardly directed extension 20 having an axial bore 21 for the reception of the lower end of a nontravelling screw 22, the latter also being journaled in a cross-piece 23 rigidly carried by said casing 17, screws 24- being used for this'purpose.

Disposed between said cross-piece 23 and extension 20 is a beveled gear 25 fixedly secured to said shaft 22, as indicated at 25 said gear meshingwith a similar gear 26 having its pintle-like extension 27 iournaled within an aperture 28 in said extension 20, while its hub portion 29 is supported within an opening 30 in the cover plate 31 (see Fig. 2). In order to effect a neat and compact arrangement one side of the casing 17 is apertured, as at 31 so that the gear 26 may fit therein. As noted in Fig. 2 the pilaster is provided with an aperture 32 into which may be inserted a crank 33 for operating said gears, the inner portion of said crank being squared to engage a similarly disposed socket 34 in said gear 26. From the foregoing it is obvious that the operation of said crank 33 imparts a rotary motion to said screw 22 through the medium of the beveled gearin 2526.

The direct supporting means of my device comprises a plurality of sections 35 which correspond to the cross-sectional area of said casing 17 and one or more of said sections may be inserted within said casing to rest on a block 36, the latter having a threaded central aperture for the reception of .-=aid screw 22, and as shown in the drawings the lower most sections may be provided with a central bore 37 to loosely receive said screw. It is now quite obvious that when the screw rotates said block 36 rises and falls within the casing in accordance with the manipulation of the crank 33 and naturally such re ciprocatory motion is imparted to said blocks 35 and as noted in the drawings the sections 35 must be provided with some sort of guide above the lower portion 10 of the partition. 1 have provided such means for guiding said sections 35, in the form of a molding :38 positioned at the opposite sides of the sections and presenting inwardly directed tongues 38 fitting within grooves oil in said secl ions. The structural arrangement and combination of these parts will be clearly understoml upon inspection of Fig. (i and it will be observed that the glass paneling 1&1: is also .-:c cured to said moulding 3S and is held therein through the medium of the strips 31).

As mentioned hereinbetorc each and every pilaster 12 is preferably provided with my supporting means and itis quite obvious that the sections 35 may be raised or lowered so that the upper most of the sections engages a ceiling and thus firmly anchors the parti tion in place. The sections may be arranged at different heights in order to build up the requisite number to substantially till the gap between the block 36 and the ceiling.

The more general practice has been to terminate partitions approximately seven foot high, and to secure same in a rigid position at its base by nails and a rail or moulding at its top to retain same into a proper alinc ment, and when seclusion is desired, said p:: rtition is continued up to a ccilimr: to accomplish said extension. much ol the woodwork of the said seven foot partition lllllsl; be removed and the supports lengthened and secured to the ceiling also by nails; and when said partition becomes loose from drying out, it causes a shrinkage and a misfit and loose partition, which becomes very diilicult to refit and tighten and to replace the effects or defaccment caused thereby.

lVith my solid post or pilasters installed. no hindrance to the erection of a seven foot partition is present, but and whenever it is desired to place an extension between the top of said seven foot partition and the ceiling all that is necessary is to place my operating parts in said solidly builtup posts or pila.

tars, as shown, and operate the means store said; when a binding eliect takes place at two points, top and bottom, respectively, the upper bind against said ceiling, and the lower bind at the base, Which binding means that any degree of rigidity for said posts or pilasters may be obtained by operating crank 33, all of which is accomplished when erecting said extension without the removal or destruction of a single piece of material from said seven foot partition or the use of a single nail or one bit of disfiguration, and should a dry-out or shrinkage occur, or a partition erected embodying my device ever become loose or wabbly, all that is necessary is to place crank 33 in place and operate same until a degree ol rigidity is obtained, there being no parts at a partition to be removed when a tightening up or rigidity is desired; when said partition is to be removed for any reason, it is only necessary to insertcranl: 33 and turn same toreduce any rigid- 'ity present, when the partition may be removed, leaving a non-nail punctured floor and ceilin lilaving set forth in the foregoing, the

principal functioning and results obtained by my device, one can readily perceive the great saving of time and expense in constructing, or the removal of a partition equipped therewith.

In view oi the foregoing it is obvious that the same is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and it is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as manifestly various changes in the minor details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted. to without departing from the spiritof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable pilaster comprising a casing secured to the interior of said pilaster, a

slidable section arranged Within said casing,

a block having a threaded aperture positioned at the base of said section, a second block secured to said casing, a nontravelling screw threadedly engaging the block carried by said section, means for rotating said screw for imparting reciprocatory motion to said section, and means for guiding the ascent and descent of said section.

2. An adjustable pilaster comprising a casing secured to the interior of said pilaster, a reciprocating section telescopically arranged within said casing, a block having a threaded aperture positioned at the base of said section a second block secured to said casing, a non-travelling screw threadedly engaging the block carried by said section and means for rotating said screw for imparting reciprocatory motion to said section.

3. An adjustable pilaster comprising a casing secured to the interior of said pilaster, a slidable section arranged within said casing, a block supporting said section and slid ably mounted in said casing and having a threaded aperture, a non-traveling screw threadedly engaging said block, means for rotating said screw for imparting reciprocatory mot-ion to said section, and guide means for said section.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ABRAHAM ASHKENAS.

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